Eddie Howe and Gary Johnson have distanced themselves from the vacant manager's position as AFC Bournemouth as first team coach Dennis Rofe takes charge of the side against Coventry.

36-year-old Howe committed his future to current club Burnley, while speaking ahead of the Clarets' game against Crystal Palace.

"I think this is a Bournemouth story and one I don't think I should comment on" said Howe.

"I am proud to be Burnley manager. We have a lot of work to do here and it's still very early in the job."

Howe guided the Cherries to promotion to League One and spent eleven years at The Goldsands Stadium as a player.

A host of candidates have been linked to the Bournemouth manager role after Paul Groves was sacked on Wednesday, including Yeovil Town boss Gary Johnson.

Speaking to The Western Gazette, Johnson was remaining focused on ending his side's six straight league defeats.

"It is not unwanted and it is not a distraction either" said Johnson.

"There is a saying with managers that they all say they are very flattered but there is no decision until the decision is made.

"But we have got a little bit of work to do here and nothing must take our focus from what we have got to do because if anybody sees your focus is even slightly away from the job here it does not work."